History

1818-Territory of Missouri asked Congress to be admitted in Union as a state. County of Franklin was also organized. Brush Creek area settled by group of South Carolina families, including Sullivan.

July 12, 1819-Franklin County divided into four townships (Meramec being one). 1,584 square miles. Later on more townships added; Gasconade County formed and reduced Franklin to some 866 square miles.

August 10, 1821-Missouri admitted into Union as slave state. 24th state

January 28, 1839 - 120 acres conveyed by U.S. Government to Garretson (also spelled Garrison) P. Hardy. Purchased according to provisions of the Act of Congress for the sale of public lands (dated April 1820).

June 1848, Garretson sold acreage to William & Mary Smith for $150.

June 1856, Stephen & Dorcas (spelled Dorchus in plat book) purchased acreage, plus 49 acres from Smith. Paid $400. This was future site of the original town.

July 25, 1856-Post office opened in Clark store (Austin Clark, postmaster) at Mount Helicon. (Closed on July 24, 1860.)

September 22, 1857-Jacob Clark died on 440 acre tract of land situated along Freemont Trail (now Springfield Avenue), named “Mount Helicon” (named after famous mountain range in east central Greece).

1859-Stephen Sullivan donates ground for railroad right-of-way and builds depot himself. Railroad names station “Sullivan”. Post office also laid out and named “Sullivan”.

1934-Sullivan attempts to establish own electric light plant. Missouri Power & Electric held unexpired contract. City loses, but later (1940's) gets own plant. City balance at $694.

1935-Construction begins on new city hall.

1937-New city hall & auditorium completed. Built on former site of former Stephen Sullivan home & lumberyard.

1938-First council meeting held in Spring ‘38. Ordinance passed to file for grant to construction an electric light plant. $80,000 bonds issued.

1939-Streets and public roads were named.

1940-City treasury show $40. New post office erected at corner of Clark & Vine streets using $70,000 allotment set aside by Congress under Federal Public Building Appropriation Act of 1938. International Shoe Factory starts up.

1943-Rich iron ore deposit discovered. St. Joe Lead Company indicates 5 years before new iron ore mine would be in operation.

July 1945-Major incident involving electric plant when lightning burned out generators. Sho-Me Power came to rescue within 3 hours power was restored.

September 1945-World War II ends.

1946-Ramsey Corporation factory started up in City Hall auditorium for short period while new plant being constructed.

January 1, 1947-City mail delivery started. City made certain streets and house numbers were marked. Paul Hines & Roy Johnston were first mail carriers.

1951-Korean War begins.

March 1954-City Hall bonds retired and ceremoniously burned. John H. Chiles Avenue named for former mayor & town leader was dedicated. In October, groundbreaking held for new pump house & new well drilled.

1957-Plans begin for new swimming pool. City purchased tract consisting of 68 lots at $20,000 to add to park land.

1958-State Director of Resources & Development called Franklin & Washington counties area a future boom area, sighting the iron ore deposits in the area along with possibility of a dam being built on the Meramec River.

March 1962-Sullivan held open house & ribbon cutting for new hospital on Sappington Bridge Road. Picnic pavilion completed on park at Elmont & Springfield Road. City operating balance showed $116,000. In December, International Shoe announcing closing of operation.

1964-School purchases property at corner of Taylor & Washington from Champion Roller Mill. City donates old jail site, located adjacent to mill. Mill dismantled and area cleared for parking.

February 1965-New industrial subdivision approved by Board of Aldermen. Located in SW Franklin Co., and NE Crawford Co. Construction of falls lines from main trunk line began soon after.

February 1966-KTUI radio began broadcasting.

1967-Sullivan’s first football game played at new high school stadium on Vine Street.

1966-Lower portion of City Hall remodeled to house city jail. It was formerly fire department headquarters.

April 1979-Voters approved police chief to be appointed instead of elected.

1980-New public library opens on Vine Street (adjacent to post office). Former library site was at City Hall and this area was turned into council room & municipal court chambers. First appointed Chief of Police appointed. Hiring a City Administrator position discussed. July 1980 Meramec Valley Communications start TV cable company.

July 1981-New addition on hospital completed.

1983-Discussions started about selling hospital.

May 1984-City hospital sold to H.E.I. out of Texas for $4 million. In June, James W. & Velma U. Shaffer sold city 89 acres off AF Highway for airport at $460,000. In December, 50 acre parcel was purchased from John & Loretta Weber for $75,000.

January 1988-Office of City Administrator created. Aerofil Technology (aerosol can manufacturer) starts up in Industrial Subdivision across from new airport site along AF Highway.

March 1989-City Lake Dam funding application made. 25.14 acres purchased from John & Loretta Weber for $57,000 for new airport at AF Highway. FAA application for funding new airport made in May. In July BOCA building codes adopted. Also in July, plans & specs drawn for Downtown Main Street Revitalization Vernaci Construction (Washington, MO). Also in July, ground work started at new airport by Unnerstall Construction (Pacific, MO).

1989-Main & Clark Streets revitalized through “Main Street” grant project. 25.14 acres also purchased for building new airport off Highway AF. In November, 911 system was approved by voters. Contract with Federal Aviation Administration application on funding for new airport located on Highway AF.

2008-Construction on new wastewater treatment plant started. North Loop Road Project started. Fence & lighting for new Elmont Overpass approved. Payments for city user fees accepted via credit card Visa and/or Mastercard approved. Hawthorne Lane water extension contract approved. State accepts ownership of North Loop and city accepts ownership of Highway AF from intersection of North Loop to North Service Road.

2011-Renewed franchise with Laclede Gas dba/Missouri Natural Gas Company for 20 years. Lease agreement renewed with Sullivan Saddle Club for 16-year period. Authorized Chamber of Commerce to operate Farmers Market at fairgrounds. Nova chip (ultra thin bonded overlay) used on city streets. City purchased PWSD (Public Water Supply District #1 of Crawford County sewer infrastructure for $203,849.23.

2013-Purchase and sale agreement with Menard, Incorporated sale of Tyree Tract containing 103.88(±) acres along the East South Service Road for a total purchase price of $443,000

2015-Construction of approximately 2.75 miles of 3-phase electrical line from Substation #4 to Sullivan Industrial Park East, $261,884 for overhead electric to Industrial Park East located along the South East Service Road on property formerly known as the “Tyree Tract”. Water main extension from Well #10 (Glaser Road) to Industrial Park East $1,150,530. 50-Year lease agreement for electrical substation at the Electric Department (305 North Park) with Sho-Me Power to operate & maintain an electrical substation. October 1, 2015 Sullivan Public Library District merged with Scenic Regional Library.

2016-City signed power supply and administration agreement among Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC) & the city as a member of the Mid-Missouri Municipal Power Energy Pool (MMMPEP). Contract with MJMEUC from June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2028 for the purpose of obtaining electric power. Signalization of the Elmont Overpass located at the intersection of Route 185, West Springfield Road, and Elmont Road.

2017-Northside Park Trail. New City Well #12 located at Sullivan Industrial Park East.

2018-Hughes Ford Road waterline improvements. Grant application with MoDOT Aviation for the construction of ten new hangars for a total project cost of $816,968.00 at a 90/10% cost share at the Sullivan Regional Airport. The city’s share $81,697 with grant funding in the amount of $735,271. Sale of 104 West Vine Street former Library building to Sullivan C-2 School District at appraised price $186,000.

Mayors Message

Welcome to the City of Sullivan web page! On behalf of the residents of the City of Sullivan, Missouri I trust that by viewing our web page it will give you a glimpse into what our wonderful community has to offer. I also anticipate that you'll find our web page informative and helpful in a variety of ways. Contact information for elected officials and City administration is included so feel free to contact us with any questions.